Monster warehouse 'vital' for Telford's economy
A warehouse "monstrosity" is vital to help secure the future of one of Telford's biggest employers, a meeting in the town was told.
The 875,000 sq ft warehouse and distribution centre would be more than twice the height of Nelson's Column.
But the visual impact of the building would be balanced by the fact it is central to Telford's chances of winning the MoD contract for the UK's central logistics base, councillors claimed last night.
Telford & Wrekin Council has submitted a planning application for a site next to the current defence base in Donnington to help make sure the town secures the contract ahead of Bicester, which currently shares the logistics role with Telford.
Hadley and Leegomery Parish Council last night agreed to recommend the scheme should be approved.
The meeting was told it would dominate the skyline in the area - but would also help secure more than 750 jobs in the town.
James Dunn, a manager in Telford & Wrekin Council's estates department, said the warehouse could be up to 115ft high, although the details had not been finalised.
He said the MoD had not yet decided whether the warehouse would be operated manually or by machine. A manual system would lead to a bigger floor area but up to 15m lower, and a mechanised system would need less floorspace but be up to 35m high.
The development would affect a small number of houses in Horton, to the north of the site, which is in the Hadley and Leegomery parish.
Chairman Councillor John Smart said: "It's a very difficult application. If it's granted permission it will upset people – if it isn't granted permission the throwback will be lots of jobs lost.
"If permission isn't granted it could seriously jeopardise jobs, not only at the depot but in other suppliers in Telford.
"On the other hand, we are concerned for the people of Horton who will literally be in the shadow of this huge building."
Councillor Pat Smart said residents needed to think of ways to reduce the effects of the development and make them known to the council.
She said: "My advice would be to accept it is going to happen but put forward anything in mitigation of the effects of this monstrosity.
"I know you are not entitled to a view under planning law but some people are not going to get any sun in their gardens.
"I don't oppose it on the grounds that if we lose the jobs this borough is going to suffer quite dramatically.
"We know the impact the loss of jobs has on a community."
